FBI, AG investigating ransomware attack responsible for internet, phone outages in Flint

The city of Flint is without internet after a criminal ransomware attack that began on Wednesday, the city said on its official website .

The FBI and the Michigan Attorney General's Office are both investigating the attack, which has affected the city's utilities payment systems. Payments for water, sewer and taxes are only being processed via cash or check, though the city noted that no water shutoffs, late fees or penalties will be assessed during the disruption.

How long the disruption will last, though, is unclear. Flint has not reported a timeline for restoration.

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It is also unclear whether personal data from Flint residents and city employees has been compromised.

Caitie O'Neill, communications director for the city of Flint, said the city is still looking into whether personal data has been compromised.

Emergency services, law enforcement dispatch, and fire patrol services are fully operational and unaffected, the city reported online. Public health offices are open and functioning as well.

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City officials are also affected by the cyberattack. Online, the city posted that some city employees are without access to their email accounts and experiencing interruptions with their phone service. Voicemail has been working "intermittently," and they may have lost some messages, they said.

Breaking news reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at LRappleye@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: FBI, AG investigating ransomware attack responsible for internet, phone outages in Flint